An Italian tourist who sexually assaulted an elderly woman on her doorstep in the West Midlands has been jailed. Lorenzo Bennin, of Polruan Place, Milton Keynes, was 17 when he groped the pensioner as she walked into her Black Country home during his UK holiday in September 2018.
Bennin ran from the scene after the woman, then in her 70s, shouted "leave me, alone go away" and returned to his home country. He was eventually caught when he came back to the UK seven years later, mistakenly believing that police were no longer looking for him.
Court hearing and sentencing
Wolverhampton Crown Court heard Bennin remained in the UK following his arrest in April 2025 and stayed with a family friend. He admitted sexual assault during his first court appearance in March 2026. The defendant, who was assisted in court by an Italian interpreter, was jailed for 12 months on Friday, August 28.
He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years and was made subject to a five-year restraining order. In a statement read to the court, the victim said she has 'limited' mobility and needs to use a walker.
Victim impact statement
The victim said: "I was physically unable to defend myself and this left me feeling completely helpless and scared. Although I did not suffer any physical injuries, the emotional and psychological impact has been overwhelming. In the immediate aftermath, I felt panicked, shaken and constantly on edge. I was deeply frightened that I might see him again."
The court heard how the woman was on her way home when she saw Bennin outside her property. Bennin asked to speak to her and said "do you want sex?". When she said "no", Bennin asked "why?", the court heard.
Details of the assault
The victim then unlocked her front door and Bennin 'pushed' it open. She went inside as Bennin stepped into the porch and sexually assaulted her over her clothing. The court heard how the pensioner had tried to push Bennin away but he was 'much stronger than her'.
Police identified Bennin through CCTV and listed him as wanted on the police national system. Staff at Gatwick Airport later confirmed to police that he was due to fly back to the UK in April 2025, when he was arrested.
Judge's sentencing remarks
Sentencing, Judge Jonathan Gosling said: "The delay in this case lies at the defendant's own door. He fled the country, knowing he was going to be arrested and kept out of reach of the jurisdiction here, until he flew back last year. He didn't return to give himself [up] but he was clocked by the authorities who learnt of his flight and, no doubt, [he] thought that after all that time, the trail had gone cold."
